Welcome to the BBC Newsletter |
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Becoming Beloved Community (BBC) is a set of initiatives set by the Episcopal Church to fight the sin of racism in our parish communities. In the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee, our BBC initiatives will also address the sin of xenophobia and homophobia, while continuing to address gender equality.
This newsletter will highlight our BBC activities on a regular basis to include the storytelling of select parishioners and clergy regarding their journeys of triumphs, sadness, and reconciliation. We will also feature select social justice and peace resources for reading and group discussion for children, youth, and adults that can be studied in addition to your current religious formation. Social justice celebrations such as Blessed Absalom Jones commemorations, Pride Mass, and a lecture series that will host teachers/scholars from neighboring universities and theological schools will be featured here as well.
Alvin Blount, Diocesan Archivist and BBC Coordinator
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In the first of our Storytelling Interviews, Alvin Blount, Diocesan Archivist, interviews The Rev. Ron Morton, Deacon in Charge of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Knoxville. Deacon Morton has a rich history of bridging elements of his identity. From Native American beliefs and practices to Christianity and Episcopal practices, and Union to Confederate family history, Deacon Morton's interview captures a broad journey.
In our next newsletter, we will present an interview with Ms. Jewell Baldwin Cousin, a Chattanooga native who shares her lived experience and memory of the community of St. Mary the Virgin, Chattanooga.
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All are invited to welcome summer by stopping by the Ascension Becoming Beloved Community May Day Festival on Sunday, May 1, from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm (800 S Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN). In addition to replanting the garden with new crops, there will be outdoor games, music, a maypole dance, and Big Butt’s BBQ food truck.
The Becoming Beloved Community Garden strives to foster the Beloved Community by nourishing the relationship between Ascension and neighbors in the Lyon’s View community. The garden provides community space along with ways to address food insecurity.
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The Episcopal Church in East Tennessee is excited to announce this year’s Pride Mass on Friday, June 3, beginning at 6:30 pm. We’re returning to St. James Episcopal Church, Knoxville on Broadway to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ siblings. All are welcome to attend. This year’s guest preacher is The Rev. Kim Jackson, Episcopal Priest and Georgia State Senator. The Rt. Rev. Brian L. Cole will celebrate. A Mini-Pride reception on the church lawn will follow the conclusion of the service.
This year's recipient of the offering collection and donations is Bryant's Bridge, specifically their Gender Affirming Care fund. Bryant's Bridge envisions a world where all youth have access to full acceptance, safety, honor, and understanding of self, and freedom to develop into the individuals they are meant to be, regardless of societal structures that marginalize and present obstacles to that end. You may donate to the Bryant's Bridge collection here.
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We are highlighting our refreshed resources for the Becoming Beloved Community part of our website. In this newsletter, we have curated children's resources for addressing the topics of race, gender equality, xenophobia, and homophobia. We will continue to highlight resources for various age groups in our upcoming newsletters. |
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Episcopal Church in East Tennessee | 814 Episcopal School Way
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